John a



(No Model.)

J. A. STEWART.

XLE.

No. 449.638. Patented Mar. 31, 1891.v

Il l@ m N@ yUNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOHN A. STEWART, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LEWIS B. TEBBETTS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent N0. 449,638, dated. March 31, 1891.

Application tiled October 27, 1890- Seral No. 369,505. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. STEWART, of Houston, Texas, have made a new and useful Improvement in Axles, of Which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

In the manufacture of wagon-axles it has been customary to make the axle either of wood and provide it with thimble-skeins, or to make it of a metallic bar whose ends are shaped to form the axle-journals.

To provide an improved construction which can more readily be made and more readily repaired, and one which is also stronger than even the metallic axles hitherto in use, is the aim of the present invention.

The improvement consists, mainly, in the combination of a bar, two skeins, and means for holding the skeins in place upon the bar, substantially as is hereinafter set forth and claimed, aided by the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure lis a view of the improved axle. The central portion ot' the axle is broken away, and one of the end portions is in longitudinal section and the other end portion in side elevation; Fig. 2, asection on the line 2 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3, a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. l, the Wooden portion being omitted, and Fig. et a side elevation of the bar. Figs. 2 and 3 are upon an enlarged scale.

The same letters of reference denote the same parts.

The present axle is a substantially all metallic one, the only wood, if any, employed being that which is sometimes used to complete the upper central part of the axle.

A represents a metallic bar,which forms the base of the present improved construction. The bar in practice is asquare piece of metalsuch as iron or steel-and of a suicient length to form an axle. So far as its cross-section is concerned, I prefer the bar. to be square, but it may be of an octagonal or some other polygonal form. It should not be rounded at the points to which the skeins B B are applied, and it is better for the bar to be of uniform cross-section throughout its length, saving at its ends a a, which are threaded to receive the nuts C C. The skeins B B constitute the bearings for the wheels, and so far as the external form of the skeins is concerned, it can be varied as may be desired; but internally the skeins are fitted to the bar A, substantially as is represented in Figs. 1 and 2. Owing to the shoulders a a of the bar the skeins are prevented from turningv thereon. To confine the skeins in place longitudinally upon the bar each skein at its inner end is extended to form a shank b. This shank comes against the under side of the bar A, and it is also shaped to fit against the front and back sides of the bar, substantially as is shown. The side portions b b are preferably not extended the full height of the bar A through the length of the shank, but are tapered, as shown. A clip D secures the shank to the bar. The bar is notched slightly at a2 and the shank at b2 to receive the clip. By this means the skein is confined endwise upon the bar. The nut C assists in holding the skein in place. NVhenthewooden partE is used upon the axle it is suitably attached thereto by means of clips F, substantially as shown. p

It will be seen that the parts composing the present axle are easy of construction and capable of being united by even unskilled persons, thereby adapting the axle to the wants of persons who desire a low-priced axle, and capable of being easily repaired at points remote from wagon-shops and at places where only inexperienced labor can be obtained; but in addition to these advantages the improved axle possesses the quality of being an exceptionally strong one. The bar A is not weakened as in previous constructions by being cut away to form a round bearing at the points where the Wheels are applied, but is carried out, as seen, its full size. This of itself materially stiffens the axle. In addition thereto the skein having the described Y shank and attached to the bar, as described, is of great assistance in strengthening the construction.

Another advantage derived from the improved construction is this: by means of the skein a larger bearing is obtained for the wheel than hitherto has been practicable with metallic axles.'

I clailn-- 1. The combination, with the angled bar, of the skeins having the tapering shanks and loo the clips engaging notches in the upper surfaces of said bar and notches in the under surface of said shank, substantially as set forth.

2. The Combination, with the angled bar, of the skeins having the tapering Shanks, the Clips engaging notches in the upper surface of said bar and notches in the under surface of said shanks, the Wooden bar, and the clips elasping said. Wooden bar and engaging [o notches in Jche under surface of said skeins, substantially as set forth.

fitness my hand this 16th day of October,

JOHN A. STEWART. qWitnesses:

C. D. MOODY, L. B. TEBBETTS. 

